WHAT: This year marks the 17th occasion of one of Northern California’s favorite Valentine’s Weekend celebrations: Lodi’s annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend. Bring someone special to Lodi Wine Country and fall in love with the diversity of handcrafted wines from the Lodi winegrowing region paired with decadent chocolate treats by Brix Chocolate.

Advance tickets cost $45 per person and $55 per person the day of the event. Tickets include an event wine glass, a chocolate treat from Brix Chocolate, an event map and guide, wine tasting and admission to 40+ participating wineries. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the winery’s hosted activities including wine and chocolate pairings, live music, barrel tastings and cellar tours.

Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday and there is no charge for designated drivers.

WHEN: Festivities are scheduled for Saturday, February 8th and Sunday, February 9th, from 11am to 4pm each day.

MORE: The Lodi Wine Region, which has been a major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s and today is farmed by over 750 growers, is home to more than 80 boutique wineries. Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Lodi wine region features over 100,000 acres of vineyards which thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.

With more than 60 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long-known as a superior producer of Zinfandel, including an estimated 2,000 acres of pre-Prohibition own rooted vines, the area also produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay. More recently, Lodi has begun producing varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others. In addition, Lodi is the leading wine region in sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which implements green-farming practices.

For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com.